Obama declares parts of North Carolina a disaster

Martin Evans, second from left, shows the damage the tornado did to his home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Martin Evans, second from left, shows the damage the tornado did to his home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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J.D. Anderson secures temporary patches to a roof in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)— AP

J.D. Anderson secures temporary patches to a roof in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)
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Mailman Jerry Richardson maneuvers around debris during while delivering mail in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)— AP

Mailman Jerry Richardson maneuvers around debris during while delivering mail in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)
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Maureen Williams and John Burns move a section of a fallen tree to the curb in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)— AP

Maureen Williams and John Burns move a section of a fallen tree to the curb in Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Shawn Rocco)
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Homeowners inspect the damage to their homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Homeowners inspect the damage to their homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Christine Rechenberg, left, and Jen Zezza take a break to eat lunch on the front steps of Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Christine Rechenberg, left, and Jen Zezza take a break to eat lunch on the front steps of Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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A volunteer helps look for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

A volunteer helps look for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
/ AP

Jen Zezza helps look for items in friend Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Jen Zezza helps look for items in friend Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Ceara Rechenberg, 9, looks among the wreckage of her tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Ceara Rechenberg, 9, looks among the wreckage of her tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Jen Zezza helps look for items in friend Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Jen Zezza helps look for items in friend Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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People stand in front of the home of Christine Rechenberg as other homes were spared from tornado damage in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

People stand in front of the home of Christine Rechenberg as other homes were spared from tornado damage in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Stan Joyner, left, and Jen Zezza take a break among the wreckage after searching for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Stan Joyner, left, and Jen Zezza take a break among the wreckage after searching for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Stan Joyner, left, and Jen Zezza climb up the wreckage after searching for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Stan Joyner, left, and Jen Zezza climb up the wreckage after searching for items in Christine Rechenberg's tornado-destroyed home in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Neighbors search for belongings at Christine Rechenberg's home, in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Neighbors search for belongings at Christine Rechenberg's home, in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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The tornado damaged many homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. are shown on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

The tornado damaged many homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. are shown on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Martin Evans surveys the damge to his roof-less house on in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Martin Evans surveys the damge to his roof-less house on in northeast Raleigh, N.C. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
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Saturdays tornado damaged many homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. are shown on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT— AP

Saturdays tornado damaged many homes in northeast Raleigh, N.C. are shown on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Cleanup was on going as the whole neighborhood was littered and homes damaged with trees felled from Saturday's tornado. From remote rural communities to the state's second-largest city, thousands of residents hit by the most active tornado outbreak recorded in North Carolina's history were clearing away rubble and debris, repairing power lines and facing a recovery that will cost tens of millions of dollars. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday requested a federal disaster declaration for 18 counties, which would open up federal aid. (AP Photo/The News & Observer, Chris Seward) MANDATORY CREDIT
/ AP

RALEIGH, N.C. 
The tornado that carved through North Carolina's capital killed four children, shuttered a university for the rest of the spring semester and felled the signature trees in the metropolis known as the "City of Oaks."

It was the most active system of tornadoes on record in the state's history, leading to 23 deaths. In Raleigh, one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, the death toll and property damages underscored the massive costs that can be inflicted when a tornado makes a rare venture into areas of dense population.

In all, the storm killed 45 people in six states, but North Carolina was by far the hardest-hit.

More than three days after the storm, crews struggled Tuesday to restore electricity and infrastructure there, with a key commuting interstate briefly shut down to fix downed power lines.

Outside her apartment in downtown Raleigh, 71-year-old Elsie McKeithan wondered whether residents understood that a tornado could strike an urban area, especially with such ferocity. The storm tore the roof from the three-story apartment where she lived, rain pouring in.

"I don't think anybody grasped the concept it was going to come through downtown Raleigh," she said.

Five blocks away, Shaw University officials canceled the remainder of the semester because the storm ripped off roofs and shattered windows at campus buildings. Students were to receive grades for the work they had completed.

Up the road, even the headquarters of Progress Energy - the utility that provides electricity across much of the region - lost power and had to rely on a backup generator. The electricity was restored a day later.

The tornado inflicted its worst damage just beyond the city center, in a mobile home park with winds over 110 mph. Rosa Gutierrez said the tornado spun her trailer off its foundation, smashed windows and left her family huddled together.

Inside, her husband said prayers. Outside, she heard car alarms, and then a neighbor's cries for help: "My kids are under there! My kids are under there!"

The neighbor, Christina Alvarez, implored neighbors to help lift the huge tree that had flattened her trailer, where she had taken cover in a closet with her infant daughter, son and two nephews she was babysitting. The three boys lay beneath the tree.

"She was screaming, `Please take it off, get it off them,' but the tree was too big," Gutierrez said. Gutierrez's husband, Manuel, leapt over the fallen tree. He could feel the boys' hands under the branches, but knew it was too late.

Alvarez was bleeding, and in her arms was 6-month-old Yaire Quistian Nino, who was severely injured and later died at a hospital.

"The baby's head was squashed," Gutierrez said quietly Tuesday at Heritage High School in Wake Forest, which had been turned into a shelter for the residents of the Stony Brook North Mobile Home Park.

Yaire was fourth victim from the home. Her 9-year-old brother Daniel Quistian-Nino and her two cousins, 8-year-old Osvaldo Coronado-Nino and 3-year-old Kevin Uriel Coronado-Nino were also killed.